Being a small town doctor, you're hardly ever without work. Sometimes though Doc Baker has more than he can handle, so he's decided to hire on an apprentice. A man by the name of Caleb Ledoux. He and his family were expected in from Louisiana any time now. That night, Dr. Ledoux finally showed up, and to Doc Baker's surprise, he was African American. Despite Ledoux's qualifications, Baker kept thinking up B.S. excuses as to why he couldn't fit the bill. Ledoux, however, knew the real reason for Doc Baker's doubts, but wanted a chance to prove himself. I'd say that just like many before him, Caleb Ledoux has his work cut out for him. His very first visitor was Harriet Oleson who, upon hearing the name Ledoux, took him to be French and was delighted at the touch of culture Walnut Grove would now be receiving. She visited the office with a complaint of a wounded ankle and was hoping the new "French" doctor could treat it. However when she met Ledoux face to face, her ankle suddenly no longer hurt. Well, that's to be expected since Harriet is a horrific bigot, but I'm sure Dr. Ledoux will have better luck with Walnut Grove's more levelheaded citizens, such as Reverend Alden who invites them to the church social to officially welcome he and his wife Mattie. Well, after that, it was time for Ledoux's first house call. Despite Doc Baker's reluctance, Ledoux really wanted to give it a shot, especially since he hadn't been allowed to do anything else since he got there. Turns out, the house call was for a horse. Ledoux confronted Doc Baker, who informed him in a patronizing way that such was the work of country doctors and if he didn't like it, he and his 'splendid qualifications' could go to a Minneapolis hospital. Wow, Doc Baker is a real asshole in this one.
Despite the warm welcome in church, Ledoux still felt that they were unwanted in the community. This was abundantly clear when Doc Baker deliberately missed church. The next morning he wasn't in his office, so Ledoux took it upon himself to deliver some much-needed medicine to Jenny Sherman. He was greeted by Nathan Sherman, who rudely told him to deliver the meds at the back. Nathan went on to be a racist redneck whom Ledoux felt was not worth his time and hit the road. When he returned to the office, he was approached by Charles and Cassandra, the little one having hurt her elbow playing ball. Luckily he had some kind patients for a change who didn't judge him on external features. In exchange for the treatment, Charles invited Dr. Ledoux and his wife to Friday supper. Shortly after they left, Doc Baker finally returned and Ledoux confronted him about his absence at church and he could plainly tell Doc Baker had a boatload of doubts about him and race may or may not be a contributing factor; after a lovely meal at the Ingallses', Ledoux was called into duty. Jenny had gone into labor and Doc Baker was away in Sleepy Eye. Quickly, the Ledouxs, Charles and Caroline headed for the Sherman place. Caroline couldn't do the job alone, so Caleb's help was requested. Unfortunately bigoted Nathan refused to let him. Well after running into Charles' fist, Nathan was down for the count and Dr. Ledoux could go about his work. By the time Doc Baker arrived, the baby had been successfully delivered...via c-section. Everyone was overjoyed, Doc Baker was very impressed, but Dr. Ledoux was angry at the outcome, mainly because Charles had to fight off the guy for him, and I agree, that moment was really shoehorned in. I think Ledoux should have punched him, but then considering how racist everybody is, he probably would have been hung. Anyway, for some reason Ledoux couldn't be happy with his good deed, he decided that Mattie and he would leave on Sunday. At church, Doc Baker finally confesses to being a racist douche towards Caleb and asked him to stay. The town needed him. On that note, Ledoux decided to stay, and he and Mattie were welcomed into the community with open arms... and were never seen or heard from again after this episode. Another secondary character vanished into obscurity.
This episode was very interesting. It kept you guessing and it really showed a new side to the characters we've gotten to know these past 8 years. Who'd have thought Doc Baker was a closet racist, seeing as how he's always so easy-going and nice to everybody. It was extremely out of character for him. Regardless, Kevin Hagen pulled off the performance nicely as a prejudice doctor who hadn't been aware of his racist tendencies until now. Don Marshall was also great as Ledoux who, although seemed like a nice guy, had an attitude about him. It's understandable giving how he was treated, but after delivering the baby, he makes a big thing about Charles defending him. It was indeed another "Michael Landon the hero" moment shoehorned into this episode, and we've seen plenty, if not enough, of those. Now everybody is probably wondering why Caleb Ledoux received such treatment when other black members of Walnut Grove, like Joe Kagen and Hester Sue Terhune were accepted. In fact, Kagen was even mentioned by Albert, and Charles put it into excellent perspective: Kagen was a farmer, which was what black men at the time were considered to do, and Ledoux is a doctor, which most people considered white man's work. Anyway, if this is the first episode of Little House you see, it might leave a bad impression because they're not always this judgmental, except for Harriet. I guess I would recommend Dark Sage to those more familiar with the show.
Despite the warm welcome in church, Ledoux still felt that they were unwanted in the community. This was abundantly clear when Doc Baker deliberately missed church. The next morning he wasn't in his office, so Ledoux took it upon himself to deliver some much-needed medicine to Jenny Sherman. He was greeted by Nathan Sherman, who rudely told him to deliver the meds at the back. Nathan went on to be a racist redneck whom Ledoux felt was not worth his time and hit the road. When he returned to the office, he was approached by Charles and Cassandra, the little one having hurt her elbow playing ball. Luckily he had some kind patients for a change who didn't judge him on external features. In exchange for the treatment, Charles invited Dr. Ledoux and his wife to Friday supper. Shortly after they left, Doc Baker finally returned and Ledoux confronted him about his absence at church and he could plainly tell Doc Baker had a boatload of doubts about him and race may or may not be a contributing factor; after a lovely meal at the Ingallses', Ledoux was called into duty. Jenny had gone into labor and Doc Baker was away in Sleepy Eye. Quickly, the Ledouxs, Charles and Caroline headed for the Sherman place. Caroline couldn't do the job alone, so Caleb's help was requested. Unfortunately bigoted Nathan refused to let him. Well after running into Charles' fist, Nathan was down for the count and Dr. Ledoux could go about his work. By the time Doc Baker arrived, the baby had been successfully delivered...via c-section. Everyone was overjoyed, Doc Baker was very impressed, but Dr. Ledoux was angry at the outcome, mainly because Charles had to fight off the guy for him, and I agree, that moment was really shoehorned in. I think Ledoux should have punched him, but then considering how racist everybody is, he probably would have been hung. Anyway, for some reason Ledoux couldn't be happy with his good deed, he decided that Mattie and he would leave on Sunday. At church, Doc Baker finally confesses to being a racist douche towards Caleb and asked him to stay. The town needed him. On that note, Ledoux decided to stay, and he and Mattie were welcomed into the community with open arms... and were never seen or heard from again after this episode. Another secondary character vanished into obscurity.
This episode was very interesting. It kept you guessing and it really showed a new side to the characters we've gotten to know these past 8 years. Who'd have thought Doc Baker was a closet racist, seeing as how he's always so easy-going and nice to everybody. It was extremely out of character for him. Regardless, Kevin Hagen pulled off the performance nicely as a prejudice doctor who hadn't been aware of his racist tendencies until now. Don Marshall was also great as Ledoux who, although seemed like a nice guy, had an attitude about him. It's understandable giving how he was treated, but after delivering the baby, he makes a big thing about Charles defending him. It was indeed another "Michael Landon the hero" moment shoehorned into this episode, and we've seen plenty, if not enough, of those. Now everybody is probably wondering why Caleb Ledoux received such treatment when other black members of Walnut Grove, like Joe Kagen and Hester Sue Terhune were accepted. In fact, Kagen was even mentioned by Albert, and Charles put it into excellent perspective: Kagen was a farmer, which was what black men at the time were considered to do, and Ledoux is a doctor, which most people considered white man's work. Anyway, if this is the first episode of Little House you see, it might leave a bad impression because they're not always this judgmental, except for Harriet. I guess I would recommend Dark Sage to those more familiar with the show.
